Research / Photonics materials / Functional surfaces with femtosecond laser ablation
One can have remarkable control of the surface properties by patterning it to contain micro- and nanometer sized structures. In a femtosecond laser ablation those structures are produced with an very short laser pulses that enables precise controlled way to modify the surface topology.
With small structures one can control various functionalities including reflection of light, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and even the growth of biological material on the surface. Each functionality requires its own surface structure and proper chemical properties of the surface material. The femtosecond laser provides enough energy in each light pulse so that practically any material from stainless steel to biological tissues can be ablated.
Our team has developed the efficiency of the ablation process by introducing various ways to control the laser beam. These include, e.g., interferometric pattern in ablation and array of beams constructed with diffractive gratings. Also, we have worked successfully in the replication of the structures onto polymer surfaces.
Contact persons:
- Prof. Pasi Vahimaa
- Dr. Kimmo Päiväsaari
- Dr. Martti Silvennoinen
Former members:
- Dr. Jarno Kaakkunen
More information about the research
Presentations in Sway
Femtosecond laser ablation
Super hydrophobic surfaces with a femtosecond laser
Making glass hydrophobic
A spherical image of the femtosecond laser laboratory
femtosecond laser laboratory, a spherical image
Externally funded projects:
- FinFem: Nano structures and applications with fs laser technology, 2008-2010. Funded by Tekes, www.tekes.fi
- Multibeam: Multiple laser beam processing in mass production, 2011-2013. Funded by Tekes, www.tekes.fi
- Laser-ablation assisted spectroscopy the diagnostics of plants, 2014. Funded by Tekes/ERF, www.tekes.fi
References:
- Martti Silvennoinen, “Precise material processing with spatial light modulator - controlled femtosecond laser beam”, Publications of the University of Eastern Finland. Dissertations in Forestry and Natural Sciences 148 (2014).
- Jarno Kaakkunen, “Fabrication of functional surfaces using ultrashort laser pulse ablation”, Publications of the University of Eastern Finland. Dissertations in Forestry and Natural Sciences 45 (2011).
- M. Silvennoinen, J. J. J. Kaakkunen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Parallel femtosecond laser ablation with individual controlled intensity”, Opt. Express 22, 2603 (2014).
- K. L. Wlodarczyk, J. J. J. Kaakkunen, P. Vahimaa, and D. P. Hand, “Efficient speckle-free laser marking using a spatial light modulator”, Appl. Phys. A 116, 111 (2013).
- M. Silvennoinen, J. J. J. Kaakkunen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Water spray assisted ultrashort laser pulse ablation”, Appl. Surf. Sci. 265, 865 (2013).
- M. Silvennoinen, J. J. J. Kaakkunen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Parallel microstructuring using femtosecond laser and spatial light modulator”, Phys. Procedia 41, 1875 (2013).
- T. Nuutinen, M. Silvennoinen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Control of cultured human cells with femtosecond laser ablated patterns on steel and plastic surfaces”, Biomed. Microdevices 15, 279 (2013).
- J. J. J. Kaakkunen, M. Silvennoinen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Water-assisted femtosecond laser pulse ablation of high aspect ratio holes”, Phys. Procedia 12, 89 (2011).
- J. J. J. Kaakkunen, K. Päiväsaari, and P. Vahimaa, “Fabrication of large-area hole arrays using high-efficiency two-grating interference system and femtosecond laser ablation”, Appl. Phys. A 103, 267 (2011).
- M. Silvennoinen, J.J.J. Kaakkunen, K. Päiväsaari, P. Vahimaa, and T. Jääskeläinen, “Controlling the hydrophopic properties of material using femtosecond ablations”, J. Laser Micro Nanoeng. 5, 97 (2010).